If you can't hike just one-way, most people hike from the east campground to the divide, then back. There is a short 0.4 mile nature trail that loops back to the campground (31 55.340, 109 58.040, 4856'), and to the left of the bathrooms is a 400 foot trail with information about the history of Cochise Stronghold. The east trailhead starts to the left of the campground bathrooms at the bridge. Two miles down, or 1 mile up, is Cochise Spring where water comes up from the gravel, fills about a 30 gallon basin, then forms a small waterfall. One mile down is Half Moon Tank, a rather impressive dam built in 1952. Follow it to higher ground for a better view.Ībout half a mile down is a rock charn apparently marking an area where people have been camping-it's flat and has a large fire ring. There is a fence on the divide and a trail follows it north on the west side. We made it to the divide (31 55.268, 109 59.061, 5950') the next morning from where it is a gradual 3 mile drop to the east side's developed campground. Unlike the trailhead, mosquitoes were not a problem here, and the low temperature was only 58 F, which was warmer than down in the valley. Since we left just before sunset, we camped under a rock overhand (31 55.572, 109 59.557, 5433') about half way up, which turned out to be about the only spot of flat ground along the west trail. The trail ascends rapidly to the divide in about 1.8 miles. The trail is an easy to follow, well-maintained forest service type with switchbacks and water turn outs. The road heads east up the canyon, which usually has intermittent water in areas.Īt the end of the road (31 55.801, 109 59.880, 5148') is the trail head.
The only sign is one stating that camping is prohibited in this area. A short distance further is another short side road making a sharp turn to the right (31 54.646, 110 02.367, 4900') going to Council Rocks, which is a short climb up from the parking area. From here, hiking trails head north and south along the west side of the Dragoons. Nearing the west canyon there is a short road to a turnaround (31 54.244, 110 02.460, 4917'). You can go a few miles to some primitive camping areas (31 52.436, 110 01.391, 4895') by car, but to go the whole 10 miles you need a pickup or better. Forest, turn north on a poorly maintained dirt road (31 50.813, 110 00.194, 5131'). Be the first to add a review to the Cochise Stronghold Campground. To get to the trailhead on the west side, you take Middle March Road (lat.
We were dropped off on the west side, hiked up the canyon, spent the night, and finished the hike at the east side campground the next day. In May of 2004 I took my 11 year-old son on his first backpacking trip. Lots of information can be found at, but if you're thinking about hiking the trail, you might want a bit more information than is provided. Located in the Dragoon Mountains of Arizona, the Cochise Trail is a spectacular 4 3/4 mile historic Indian trail connecting the west and east canyons of Cochise's Stronghold.
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